small talk

noun

Definition of small talknext
as in chat
friendly, informal conversation or an instance of this at the corporate get-together we made the obligatory small talk with some people from the home office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of small talk Afterward, the experience gives you both something immediate to talk about rather than leaning entirely on small talk. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026 The activity does the heavy lifting that small talk used to carry. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 What began as awkward small talk with strangers quickly becomes conversations with like-minded people. — Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Frazier said that the woman was known to frequently walk around the neighborhood sparking up small talk. — Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for small talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for small talk
  1. chat
  2. talk
  3. chatter
  4. table talk
Noun
  • During hours of questioning, Bozanic walked Riddell through text messages, cellphone logs and group chats.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The folding iPhone can display two apps side by side, including chats with Siri, offering a desktop-like interface for AI agents.
    — Kif Leswing,Annie Palmer,Jordan Novet, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of chat
Noun
  • Russia and Ukraine are engaged in talks on ending the plight of people trapped in Oleshky, Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said in an interview with Espreso.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Her talk focused on being flexible and creative when responding to stress.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • Queer Eye’s final season brought off-screen drama but no chatter beyond that.
    — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
  • But even as top European content industry insiders gathered to hear Bajaria speak, chatter about her future fired back up in Hollywood this week.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of chatter
Noun
  • When the table talk turns political, Hagains suggests shifting your approach instead of your mood.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025
  • Each monthly box includes three recipe guides, skill lessons, a kitchen tool, a kitchen project, an apron patch, table talk cards, and a grocery list.
    — Jessica Booth, Parents, 16 Dec. 2024
Definition of table talk

Browse Nearby Words

smallswords
small talk
small-time
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Cite this Entry

“Small talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/small%20talk. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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